HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4108 FILED ON: 3/20/2009
HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 3910
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The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the Year Two Thousand Nine
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An Act relative to hospital-acquired septic infections..
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 206 the following section:-
Section 207. All medical and healthcare facilities operating and authorized to operate in the commonwealth shall be required to accept best practices relative to reducing the incidence and prevalence of Hospital Acquired Infections and Induced Sepsis. To use CDC endorsed standards, in combination with other best practice models, to take increased measures at health care facilities by mandating sepsis prevention and treatment protocols to enhance protection of patients on intravenous (IV) therapy and those at increased risk due to compromised immune systems related to actual disease state(s) and/or medication treatments.
Development of clinical protocols for frequent assessment and treatment of at risk patients on IV Therapy shall be mandated in all hospitals and nursing facilities. All such facilities shall report to the department of public health all cases of Hospital Induced Sepsis and Hospital Acquired Infections. Such facilities shall have further protocols in place to demonstrate appropriate accepted patient quarantine practices for such cases to prevent further patient complications or induced infections,.
All such facilities shall have best practice clinical protocols in place relative to the emergency treatment and care of patients diagnosed with Hospital Induced Sepsis including, but not limited to, diagnostic imaging (MRI, Echocardiogram, Ultrasound, White Cell Tracer, CT Scan, Bone Scan), clinical diagnostic testing, IV antibiotic regimes, surgical interventions (radiologic and other), pain management, hydration and hematologic assessment.
Penalties for not taking appropriate preventive actions shall result in fines to be determined by the department of public health.